Plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport have been given the green light after Reform councillors agreed not to vote against a £57m loan supporting the project. The decision, taken at an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday, 11 May, allows the airport programme to recommence, with discussions with the landowner set to restart.
The airport closed in 2022 after its operator deemed it financially unviable, leaving South Yorkshire without a major aviation hub for international flights. Since then, local authorities and central government have explored ways to revive the site, with negotiations ongoing to lease the airport to Doncaster Council.
Reform councillors had previously threatened to withdraw the £57m loan, citing a lack of knowledge about key clauses in the original agreement from November 2025. However, they agreed to keep the loan in place provided they receive copies of the lease before it is approved.
A City of Doncaster Council spokesperson said: “The decision taken at today’s Extraordinary Full Council meeting means that the airport programme can recommence. We remain committed to reopening Doncaster Sheffield airport and delivering the jobs and growth it will bring to the region.”
Reform became the largest party on Doncaster Council after the 2025 elections, though an elected Labour mayor leads the council. Jason Charity, deputy leader of Reform UK Doncaster, described the move as a “refinement of the deal” rather than a U-turn.
At the same meeting, Reform councillor Kieran Lay proposed establishing a committee to monitor “unidentified anomaly phenomena” (UFOs) at the airport, saying it would draw attention to safety issues such as drones.
